Kuba Cloth - Straw

$980.00

This 2.4 metre long piece of vintage Kuba cloth is from the Ngongo branch of the Kuba people who are native to the Congo (Kasai river area). Made from raffia palm fibre, using traditional patchwork appliqué, embroidery and natural plant dies. The raffia is a very stiff fibre and hard to work with, soaking and pounding was essential to soften the fibres, this pieces this size would have taken 1-2 months to make. Traditionally cloth like this is worn as ceremonial skirts, today the Kuba cloth is a collectible piece of African textile. This piece looks beautiful at the end of the bed, over a sofa, hanging on the wall or framed.